Federation in East Africa

By Colin Leys

Subjects: Politics and government, Politics, Economic conditions

Description: A notable development in Africa in recent years has been the interest shown in a developing African unity. In the political field there is a widespread desrie to replace the often irrational country boundaries imposed by the former colonial powers by wider groupings, and many Africans regard the achievement of continental unity as an ultimate goal. In the economic field integration of various kinds is seen as a valuable means of bringing about a faster rate of economic growth and of overcoming poverty. So far political regrouping has made little progress. On the other hand a number of important examples of economic integration have been developed and others are being actively discussed. Among the examples of economic integration one of the most important and long established is the East African Common Market which covers Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Beginning over 40 years ago these countries have achieved an impressive degree of co-operation in economic matters. Their experience should be of interest and value to all who are concerned with the problems of promoting integration in other parts of Africa and indeed more widely. This book is based upon papers which were produced for a conference at University College Nairobi planned at a time when the leaders of the three East African countries had announced their intention to move from economic association to political federation. The book contains a discussion of the progress and problems of the common market and analyses some of the political problems involved in moving towards a federation. Experience of other federations is brough to bear and possible solutions indicated to some important problem areas. Subjects discussed include labour, agriculture, money and finance, the distribution of the benefits from the common market and constitutional matters. The question of what changes are required if economic associationis to survive without political unity is also considered.